Frankie Lee Nidiffer

Funeral services for longtime Cortez resident Frankie Lee Nidiffer will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 28, at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Interment will follow at Cortez Cemetery.

Frankie was called from her sleep by the angels on Feb. 18, 2014, with her family at her side. She was 77 years old. She was born in September 1936 to Frank and Thelma Reynolds in Denver. and she graduated from high school in Colorado Springs with a full scholarship to attend art school. It was there she meet her husband Bill. They were married in Raton, N.M., in April of 1955, they were lifelong companions. Mom followed Dad as he pursued his career in education taking them to many places – Denver, Rifle, Colorado Springs, Greeley, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Newcomb, N.M., where they both retired from education and moved back to Cortez.

Mom was an active member in many organizations, but she is probably best known for her contributions in the American Legion Auxiliary and the Emblem club, in which she still held an office until the summer of 2013. During her travels she held many job titles – dental assistant, bookkeeper, librarian, receptionist, office manager, secretary, and her lifelong love as an artist. She was one of those people that had an uncanny knack for being able to work with anyone at any time in any situation, and she was extremely talented at putting a get together for 20 or so people at a moment’s notice.

Frankie is survived by her sons, Scott Nidiffer and wife, Catherine of Cortez, Doug Nidiffer and wife, Joyce of Dove Creek, Mark Nidiffer of Cortez; one daughter, Kim Percell and husband, Larry of Cortez; eight grandchildren, Genifer Anderson and husband, Aaron, Jay Nidiffer, Steven Percell and wife, Amanda, Kassi Nidiffer, William “Hoss” Nidiffer, Joie Shaball and husband, Blasé, Brian Nidiffer, Ryan Nidiffer; four step-grandchildren, Jessica Whatcott, Gary Whatcott, Samantha Whatcott, and Kenneth Whatcott; 24 great grandchildren ranging from 14 months to 18 years old; her sister, Joan Johnson and husband Don of Denver; two nephews, Mike Johnson and wife, Francisca of California, Gary Johnson and wife, Cynthia of Colorado; one niece, Kathy Ginsberg of Colorado, and her brother in law, David Nidiffer and wife, Joy of Saint David Ill. Frankie is preceded in her passing by her parents, Frank and Thelma Reynolds; her father and mother in law, Harold and Margret Nidiffer; her husband, Bill; and her grandson, Kevin Percell.

Contributions may be made in Frankie Nidiffer’s name to the Children’s Hospital. Services are under the direction of Ertel Funeral Home. For information or to send condolences, click on the obituary section at ertelfuneralhome.com.